471 research outputs found
An Anytime Algorithm for Generalized Symmetry Detection in ROBDDs
Get PDFDetecting symmetries has many applications in logic synthesis that include, amongst other things, technology mapping, deciding equivalence of Boolean functions when the input correspondence is unknown and finding support-reducing bound sets. Mishchenko showed how to efficiently detect symmetries in ROBDDs without the need for checking equivalence of all co-factor pairs. This work resulted in practical algorithms for detecting classical and generalized symmetries. Both the classical and generalized symmetry detection algorithms are monolithic in the sense that they only return a meaningful answer when they are left to run to completion. In this paper we present anytime algorithms for detecting both classical and generalized symmetries, that output pairs of symmetric variables until a prescribed time bound is exceeded. These anytime algorithms are complete in that given sufficient time they are guaranteed to find all symmetric pairs. Anytime generality is not gained at the expense of efficiency since this approach requires only very modest data structure support and offers unique opportunities for optimization so the resulting algorithms are competitive with their monolithic counterparts
Utilizing liposomal quercetin and gallic acid in localized treatment of vaginal Candida infections
Get PDFVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a widely spread fungal infection that causes itching, pain and inflammation at the vaginal site. Although common, currently available treatment suffers from limited efficacy and high recurrence. In addition, the growing problem of resistance to azole drugs used in current treatments emphasizes the need for superior treatment options. Antimicrobial polyphenols are an attractive approach offering multitargeting therapy. We aimed to develop novel liposomes for simultaneous delivery of two polyphenols (quercetin, Q, and gallic acid, GA) that, when released within the vaginal cavity, act in synergy to eradicate infection while alleviating the symptoms of VVC. Q was selected for its anti-itching and anti-inflammatory properties, while GA for its reported activity against Candida. Novel liposomes containing only Q (LP-Q), only GA (LP-GA) or both polyphenols (LP-Q+GA) were in the size range around 200 nm. Q was efficiently entrapped in both LP-Q and in LP-Q+GA (85%) while the entrapment of GA was higher in LP-Q+GA (30%) than in LP-GA (25%). Liposomes, especially LP-Q+GA, promoted sustained release of both polyphenols. Q and GA acted in synergy, increasing the antioxidant activities of a single polyphenol. Polyphenol-liposomes were not cytotoxic and displayed stronger anti-inflammatory effects than free polyphenols. Finally, LP-GA and LP-Q+GA considerably reduced C. albicans growth
Minotetrastichus frontalis
No full text<i>Minotetrastichus frontalis</i> (Nees ab Esenbeck 1834) <p> <i>Minotetrastichus frontalis</i> (Nees): Graham & LaSalle 1991, p. 89.</p> <p> <i>Type material</i></p> <p>Neotype ♀, designated by Graham and LaSalle (1991) (Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna; not examined).</p> <p> <i>Material examined</i></p> <p> 171 ♀♀, 84 ♂♂, <i>M. frontalis</i>: Ul’yanovsk, Park Vinnovskay Roshcha, 54 ◦ 16 ′ N; 48 ◦ 20 ′ E, 16 June–4 September 2009 (A. Mishchenko).</p> <p> <i>Comparative notes</i></p> <p>Anterior margin of clypeus with two teeth, clava with terminal spine much shorter than third segment, fore wing about 1.9× as long as broad, submarginal vein with 2–4 setae, medial lines on mesoscutum absent, body black with yellow markings.</p> <p> <i>Distribution</i></p> <p>Austria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, UK, USA (Noyes 2010).</p> <p> <i>Biology</i></p> <p>Larval-pupal gregarious ectoparasitoid.</p>Published as part of <i>Yefremova, Z. & Mishchenko, A., 2012, The preimaginal stages of Minotetrastichus frontalis (Nees) and Chrysocharis laomedon (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), parasitoids associated with Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), pp. 1283-1305 in Journal of Natural History 46 (21 - 22)</i> on pages 1285-1286, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2012.654517, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5199995">http://zenodo.org/record/5199995</a>
Approximation properties for discrete groups
No full textWe give an overview of approximation properties in the context of operator algebras associated with groups
SAT solver management strategies in IC3: an experimental approach
No full textThis paper addresses the problem of handling SAT solving in IC3. SAT queries posed by IC3 significantly differ in both character and number from those posed by other SAT-based model checking algorithms. In addition, IC3 has proven to be highly sensitive to the way its SAT solving requirements are handled at the implementation level. The scenario pictured above poses serious challenges for any implementation of the algorithm. Deciding how to manage the SAT solving work required by the algorithm is key to IC3 performance. The purpose of this paper is to determine the best way to handle SAT solving in IC3. First we provide an in-depth characterization of the SAT solving work required by IC3 in order to gain useful insights into how to best handle its queries. Then we propose an experimental comparison of different strategies for the allocation, loading and clean-up of SAT solvers in IC3. Among the compared strategies we include the ones typically used in state-of-the-art model checking tools as well as some novel ones. Alongside comparing multiple vs. single SAT solver implementations of IC3, we propose the use of secondary SAT solvers dedicated to handling certain types of queries. Different heuristics for SAT solver clean-up are evaluated, including new ones that follow the locality of the verification process. We also address clause database minimality, comparing different CNF encoding techniques. Though not finding a clear winner among the different sets of strategies compared, we outline several potential improvements for portfolio-based verification tools with multiple engines and tunings
Cell and tissue response to nanotextured Ti6Al4V and Zr implants using high-speed femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures
No full textIn this paper, the effect of femtosecond laser nanotexturing of surfaces of Ti6Al4V and Zr implants on their biological compatibility is presented and discussed. Highly regular and homogeneous nanostructures with sub-micrometer period were imprinted on implant surfaces. Surfaces were morphologically and chemically investigated by SEM and XPS. HDFa cell lines were used for toxicity and cell viability tests, and subcutaneous implantation was applied to characterize tissue response. HDFa proliferation and in vivo experiments evidenced the strong influence of the surface topography compared to the effect of the surface elemental composition (metal or alloy). The effect of protein adsorption from blood plasma on cell proliferation is also discussed
The signature package on Witt spaces
No full textIn this paper we prove a variety of results about the signature operator on Witt spaces. First, we give a parametrix construction for the signature operator on any compact, oriented, stratified pseudomanifold X which satisfies the Witt condition. This construction, which is inductive over the 'depth' of the singularity, is then used to show that the signature operator is essentially self-adjoint and has discrete spectrum of finite multiplicity, so that its index-the analytic signature of X - is well-defined. This provides an alternate approach to some well-known results due to Cheeger. We then prove some new results. By coupling this parametrix construction to a C*(r) Gamma Mishchenko bundle associated to any Galois covering of X with covering group Gamma, we prove analogues of the same analytic results, from which it follows that one may define an analytic signature index class as an element of the K-theory of C*(r) Gamma. We go on to establish in this setting and for this class the full range of conclusions which sometimes goes by the name of the signature package. In particular, we prove a new and purely topological theorem, asserting the stratified homotopy invariance of the higher signatures of X, defined through the homology L-class of X, whenever the rational assembly map K-*(B Gamma) circle times Q -> K-* (C*(r) Gamma) circle times Q is injective
Time evolution and finite element representation of Phase Space Zonal Structures in ORB5
No full textPhase Space Zonal Structures (PSZSs), obtained by averaging out dependencies on angle-like variables in the energetic particle (EP) distribution function, play a fundamental role in regulating EP transport induced by Alfvén instabilities in burning plasmas, acting as a slowly varying nonlinear equilibrium state. Therefore, they are of great interest for the development of reduced models for the description of EP heat and particle transport on long time scales, comparable with the energy confinement time, for future burning plasma experiments. In this work, we propose an efficient finite element based projection of the time evolution of the PSZS, suited for global particle-in-cell (PIC) gyrokinetic (GK) codes. The resulting algorithm has been implemented in the global GK PIC code ORB5. PSZSs can not only be used for validating reduced models, but also as a diagnostic tool for characterizing the nonlinear interaction in phase space between Alfvén instabilities and EPs in global GK simulations
Gyrokinetic modelling of the Alfvén mode and EGAM activity in ASDEX Upgrade
No full textEnergetic particles present in tokamak machines can drive through resonant wave-particle interaction different plasma instabilities, e.g Alfvén modes and energetic particle-driven geodesic acoustic modes (EGAMs). While the former are potentially detrimental as they can enhance the energetic particle transport and damage the machine wall, the latter are axisymmetric, possibly benign modes that can act to regulate turbulence. A unique scenario, the so-called NLED-AUG case, has been developed in ASDEX Upgrade by tuning the plasma parameters so that the energetic particle kinetic energy is 100 times higher than that of the background plasma, like in ITER. An intense energetic particle-driven activity is observed, most prominently various Alfvén mode bursts triggering chirping EGAMs. The present work reports studies on the Alfvén mode and EGAM dynamics showing, for the first time, many toroidal mode gyrokinetic simulations with ORB5 where the NLED-AUG case scenario is considered. We study the mode dynamics modelling the energetic particles with different equilibrium distribution functions, such as: isotropic slowing-down, double-bump-on-tail and equivalent Maxwellian. We retain, at the beginning, the nonlinearities only in the energetic particle dynamics. Later, also the background plasma species nonlinearities are taken into account
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